Apparatus for cleaning and flushing automobile radiators and the like



June 6, 1950 Filed Jan.. 6, 1948 J. LA" CROSS APPARATUS FOR CLEANING ANDFLUSHING AUTOMOBILE RADIATORS AND THE LIKE 2 Shee ts-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

JBMES LACROSS A T TORNE Y June 6, 1950 J. LA 020% APPARATUS FOR CLEANINGAND FLUSHING AUTOMOBILE RADIATORS AND THE LIKE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FiledJan. 6, 1 948 m. 1 0 mm N INVENTOR.

JAMES LHCROSS A TTORIVE Y Patented J un e ti, 1950 UNITED STATES. PATENTOFFICE APPARATUS FOR CLEANING AND FLUSHIN G AUTOMOBILE RADIATORS' AND-THE LIKE James La Cross, Shamokin, Pa.

Application January 6, 1948, Serial No. 799

3' Claims. 1

This invention relates to apparatus for cleani-ng radiators of internalcombustion engines and other such tubular or cellular structures, andmore particularly to an apparatus of the character disclosed in mycopending application,

Serial No. 6493499, filed February 23, 1946;

Among the general objects of the present in'- vention are to provide aneasily operated, highly efficient apparatus for subjecting the radiatorto several: successive types of treatment, each aiming to removeobstructions in and to clean thoroughly the passages of the radiator,such types of treatment including alternately subject- 7 ing liquid andair in the radiator tubes or cells to pulsations tending to dislodge andflush from the radiator all solids causing clogging of the radiatorsystem.

More specifically, it is an object of the present invention to providean apparatus for and systemof cleaning radiators, coils and the likewherein a cleansing liquid is initially pumped through the cells ortubes of the device to be cleaned, following which the pumped column ofcleansing liquid is subjected to the ramming action of a column of airto further force the liquid through the clogged cells or tubes tothereby dislodge and carry from such cells or tubes any solids tendingto clog the same.

A further and important object of the present invention is to provide anapparatus wherein a plurality of sequentially operated fluid pressurepumps act to alternately pump columnsof water and air into and throughthe cells or tubes of the heat transfer device to be cleaned, such as anautomobile radiator, the air column being employed in the nature of apiston or ram upon a column of water to force the latter through theradiator, the apparatus including valve controlled conduits which insureproper sequential flow of the liquid and air through the system.

Still another object is to provide an apparatus of the characterdescribed wherein a plurality of valves'are simultaneously operated by asingle manually controlled lever to insure not only proper sequentialmovement of the liquid andair columns to and through the radiator or thelike to be cleaned, but also to provide for reverse movement of theliquid column through the radiator' and the ramming thereof through theradiator by a following column of air.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will appear morefully hereinafter, it being understood that the invention consistssubstantially in the combination, construction, location and relativearrangement of parts, all aswill be described in detail hereinafter, as.shown in the accompanying drawings and as finally pointed out in theappended. claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure l is an end elevational view of the. apparatus of the presentinvention;

Figure 2 is a side elevational view thereof;

Figure 3. is: a View of the valve-actuating. lever mechanism as viewedfrom the line 33 of Figure 2;

Figure 4. is a diagrammatic View illustrating operation of the apparatusfor introduction of cleansing water to one outlet of a radiator to beflushed; and

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic view illustrating operation of the apparatuswhen the flow of cleansing liquid is reversed for introduction thereofto the opposite outlet of the radiator.

Referring now to the drawings andv more particularly to Figures 1 and 2thereof, it will be observed that the apparatus of the present inventionis in the form of a compact portable unit comprising an open frameworkit suitably mounted upon a wheeled understructure II, the frameworksupporting at its upper end a plurality of fluid pressure pumps l2, I3,is and I5, each in. the form of a stationary cylinder having asingle-acting piston movable therein. l'he pistons of the severalcylinders are respectively connected by their piston rods 16 to acrank-shaft ll suitably journalled across the top of the frame- Work It,said crank-shaft being driven by an electric motor IS, the drive pulley[9 of which is connected by a belt 253 to the crank-shaft pulley 2'l.The crank-shaft I1 is provided with a plu-- rality' of angularly relatedcranks 22, 23, 24- and 25, which are respectively operatively connectedto the several piston rods It of the fluid pressure pumps l2, l3, I4 andI5 to effect the desired sequential operation of the latter. Preferably,the sequence of operation of the fluid pressure pumps is in thefollowing order: first, pump It; second, pump l3; third, pump I 5 andfourth, pump it, such sequence being indicated in the diagrammatic viewsof Figures 4 and 5 by the numerals 1, 2, 3 and 4.

The fluid pressure pumps l2 and I5 are de signed to move columns ofwater through the cleansing system, while the fluid pressure pumps I3and M are designed to move columns of air therethrough. Because of theaforesaid sequence of operation of these fluid pressure pumps, it willbe apparent that the column of water moved by the pump l 2 is followedby a column of air moved by the pump l3, this column of air being thensucceeded by a column of water moved by the pump l5, which column ofwater is then followed by a column of air moved by the pump M. Thiscycle of operation is continued so long as the apparatus is maintainedin operation, so that each column of water which is moved by one or theother of the water pumps l2 and i5 is followed by a column of air movedby one or the other of the air pumps 13 and I4.

Also carried by the framework In of the apparatus are the severalconduits leading to and from the several fluid pressure pumps, as wellas a sight vessel 26 for indicating the condition of the radiator orother device undergoing treatment and the containers 2? and 28 forreceiving the solids flushed from the radiator. The several conduitsconnected to the inlet and outlet ports of the several fluid pressurepumps are respectively provided with suitable shut-off valves and checkvalves for insuring proper direction of flow of the water and airthrough the system, the check valves being automatically operative forunidirectional flow of the fluid therethrough, while the shut-off valvesare manually operable by two sets of lever mechanisms 29 and 30conveniently located and arranged to effect simultaneous actuation ofthe main shut-off valves arranged in two groups thereof, thesemechanisms being respectively operated by the handles 29 and 30 Thegeneral arrangement of the fluid (water and air) conduits and of thecontrol valves is best shown in the diagrammatic views of Figures 5 and6. Referring now to these figures, it will be observed that the deviceto be flushed and cleaned of accumulated solids and debris, such as anautomobile radiator designated generally by the numeral 3|, is connectedin circuit with the apparatus of Figures 1 and 2 so that its outlet andinlet ends are respectively connected, by suitable lengths of hose (notshown) to the open ends of the water conduits 32 and 33 (see Figures 1and 2) forming fixed elements of the apparatus. The system is thenfilled with water by way of the conventional water-filling opening inthe top I of the radiator, a sufficient amount of water being introducedto fill not only the radiator but also all of the water conduitsextending between it and the water pumps l2 and 15. These water conduitsare represented in Figures 4 and 5 by the broken lines, while the airconduits extending between the radiator and the air pumps l3 and I4 arerepresented by the relatively heavy unbroken lines.

It will be noted that the water pump I2 is connected by way of waterdischarge conduits 34 and 35 to the inlet 36 of the sight vessel 26 andthat the outlet 3'! of said vessel is connected by the water conduits 38and 32 to the lower end of the radiator 3|. The upper end of theradiator is in turn connected to the water pump [2 by the water conduits33, 39, 4B, 4! and 42 all connected in series. The conduits 34 and 42are connected for common communication by way of the conduit 43 with thesingle opening into the operating head of the pump l2. Check valves 44and 45 are included in the branch conduits 34 and 42 to insureunidirectional flow of the water out of the pump 12 by way of theconduit 34 upon outward stroke of the pump piston and into the pump byway of the conduit 42 upon the inward or suction stroke of the pumppiston.

The water pump [5 is connected in parallel with the pump 12 to alsocirculate wat r t a d through the radiator, the single opening in the 7operating head of said pump l5 being connected to the water deliveryconduit by a branch conduit 46 and to the water return conduit 4| by abranch conduit 41. As in the case of the pump 12, the branch conduits 46and 4'5 leading from and to the pump l5 are respectively fitted withcheck valves 48 and 49 to insure unidirectional flow of water from thepump to the radiator and thence back to the pump.

A pair of by-pass conduits '59 and 5| respectively interconnect theconduits 38 and 4% to form a closed circuit of four branches, each ofthese branches including therein a manually operated shut-oil valverespectively designated 52, 53, 54 and 55. The branch conduit connects,as at 56, with a line 51 dropping vertically to the mouth of thedebris-receiving container 21, while the branch conduit 38 connects, asat 58, with a line 55 dropping vertically to the mouths of thedebrisreceiving container 28. The water system is completed by theprovision of a discharge conduit connected to the line 59, thisdischarge conduit including therein a check valve SI and a manuallycontrolled shut-off valve 62.

The supply of air under pressure from the air pumps l3 and 14 to theradiator 3| is by Way of the conduits represented by the relativelyheavy lines shown in Figures 4 and 5. Air is drawn into the operatinghead of each air pump from atmosphere by way of the check valves 63 and64, the air being then forced therefrom upon the down strokes of thepumps by way of the check valves and 66. As mentioned hereinbeiore, theair pumps l3 and M operate alternately with respect to the water pumpsl2 and I5, air from the air pumps [3 forced by way of the air conduit 61and through the shut-off valve 88 and check valve 59 into the water line32 so as to ram the water contained in said line into and through theradiator. By reason of the timed operating relation of the several pumpsl2, l3, I4 and I5, the columns of water alternately delivered by thewater pumps to the radiator are each rammed by a column of airalternately discharged under pressure from the air pumps, the radiatorcore being thus subjected to injection of successive columns of waterunder the influence of a following column of air under pressure. Thus,the water is injected into the radiator and forced therethrough in theform of a successive series of impulses which act to dislodge from theradiator core solids tending to block the free passage of watertherethrough.

A second air conduit 10, branching off from the air conduit 61, connectsto the water line 33, as at H, said air conduit 10 including therein ashut-off valve 12 and a check valve 13. This second air conduit 10 isoperative to direct the air flow from the air pumps 13 and I4 againstthe column of water entering the top of the radiator 3| when the waterfiow therethrough is reversed in direction as shown in Figure 5. Foroperation of the system as shown in Figure 4, that is, for injection ofthe water into the bottom end of the radiator, the valve 12 is closed torender effective only the air line 61.

It will be noted that for direct operation of the system, as shown inFigure 4, the shut-oil valves 52, 53 and '12 are closed, while theshutoff valves 54, 55 and. 68 are open. For reverse operation of thesystem, as shown in Figure 5, the shut-off valves 52, 53 and 12 areopen, while the shut-oil valves 54, 55 and 68 are closed. The singledischarge valve 62 is always closed duracid-vet his amazin at theapparatus, fire-starve beitl' crease t e iv-hti it is? des res t'd drainthe whole system-or water, Whf'r he lfilfisiifig 'arifl mg: er theradiator been completes Fret: erably, the valve 62 is provided with aKai-idle 14 actives-refit actuation thereof.

It will be understood that any desired lever mechanisms may beemployedfor 'efiecting synchronous operation of the valve 52, 53 and 12and or trrevaives 54", 55' and 6t. m are" arrangement illustrated, theactuating eiis for the valves 52, 53 and T2 are cbiipieel teg'ther forsimultaneous operation by a shifting link or red [5; while the actuatinglevers for the valves 54, 55- and 58 are simultaneously operated bymeans or link-s15,- TI and 18 pivotall-y secured together, as at 19;these links being commonly shifted valve-opening or valve-closingpositions by the handle 29 pivoted to the frame, at 8'3, connected, tothe links at their common point of pivotal securement.

In operation of the apparatus of the present invention, having connectedthe radiator or other such device in water-circulating communicationwith the conduits 32 and 33 and having filled the water system withwater, upon startin the motor l8 the several pumps I2, I3, I4 and I5reciprocate in the order previously indicated to subject the radiator tosuccessive impulses of water under pressure. Assuming the valves 54, 55and 68 are open while the valves 52, 53 and 12 are closed, as indicatedin Figure 4, Water from the pump I 2 is forced to and through theradiator under positive pressure of the pump by way of the conduits 43,34, 35, 38 and 32, such Water passing through the sight vessel 25. Onthe return or suction stroke of the pump [2, the Water is pulled fromthe radiator to the pump by Way of the conduits 33, 39, 4|, 42 and 43.

Immediately following completion of the pressure stroke of pump 12 thepump l3 operates to force air through the conduit 6'! into the line 32to impose upon the column of water contained therein a driving forcetending to ram the water through the radiator, following which asucceeding column of water is forced under positive pressure to andthrough the radiator by operation of the water pump I5, this succeedingcolumn of water being delivered to the radiator by way of the conduits46, 35, 38 and 32, and being thereafter rammed through the radiator bythe pressure of air discharged from the air pump M by way of the conduit61. As in the case of the water pump l2, the water pump l5 also inducesa suction pull on the radiator upon the return or suction stroke of saidpump to pull the Water from the radiator by way of the conduits 33, 39,40, 4| and 41. The operational timing of the several pumps !2, l3, l4and I5 is such that as one of the air pumps forces air under positivepressure to the water inlet end of the radiator the Water issimultaneously pulled from the outlet end of the radiator by the suctionpull of one of the water pumps. This cycle of operation is continueduntil the appearance of the water coursing through the sight vessel .26indicates that the radiator has been cleared of all accumulation ofclogging sediment and solids. freedom with which the water coursesthrough the sight vessel 26 indicates also the extent to which theradiator has been cleared of obstructions to free passage of Watertherethrough. As the water circulates through the system, the solidsdislodged from the radiator are carried by The degree of the across 5tand: 5t frt'ifti wn-nee may crop by gravity into the conten s- 21 ae'a28.

It will iiiide'rstbodthe apparatus of the present ihvtion: provides aernate com or 6? water separated by i emerging cot u'rhiis or" slugs ofair, the operat being such that the impulse given to the Wat by the airthe or the apparatus for s the water ahead or the air, consequently, a"each swig: ofwater enters t r'adiator it is unue the petusefi a renewingor air is subse= quenu bled trbih the system: through the rash ate-rdvei fiowl- Shduld: the radiatdr 3| be biocltd'tosu'cm errtent thatwater cannot be pumped therethrough, such condition would be indicatedby arise or the water lever the sight vessel 26', this by reasdn of lackof tree circulation ofthewater therethrougli: In such case, the severalshut-01f valves are" so reversed to open the valves 52, 53 and 12 whileclosing the valves 54, 55 and 68, as indicated in Figure 5. Upon suchreversal of these valves, the direction of flow of the water to theradiator is reversed from that shown in Figure 4 so that the water isdelivered under positive pressure to the top of the radiator and iswithdrawn by the suction pull of the water pumps from the bottom of theradiator. This reversal in flow of the water is effected by way of theby-pass conduit 50, the air under pressure from the air pumps [3 and I4being then delivered to the radiator by way of the air conduit '10,which communicates with the conduit 33 at the point 1|. Except for thisreversal in direction of flow of the water and air to and through theradiator, the cycle of operation is the same for the system shown inFigure 5' as it is for that shown in Figure 4. By successive reversalsof the system, each end of the radiator may be subjected to the actionof the water pumps I2 and I5 successively under positive pressure andsuction pull, the application of water under positive pressure being ineach instance followed by an impulse of air delivered under pressure bythe air pumps [3 and I4.

In Figures 4 and 5, the directions of flow of the water and air throughthe system are indicated by the arrows, while the condition of thevalves determining the direction of flow of the water and air isdesignated by the letters 0 and C, the open valves being designated 0and the closed valves C.

What is claimed as new and useful is:

1. An apparatus for cleaning radiators and the like comprising, incombination, a plurality of pumps sequentially operated by angularlyrelated cranks of a crankshaft to alternately force Water and airthrough the radiator in the form of separate impulses, the water pumpbeing connected in closed circuit with the radiator and being operativeto force water into one end of the radiator and draw water from theother end thereof, the air pump being connected to the water inlet endof the radiator, and valve means for directing the water and airunidirectionally through the radiator.

2. An apparatus for cleaning radiators and. the like comprising, incombination, a plurality of pumps sequentially operated by angularlyrelated cranks of a crankshaft to alternately force water and airthrough the radiator in the form of separate impulses, the water pumpbeing connected in closed circuit with the radiator and being operativeto force water into one end of the radiator and draw water from theother end thereof, the air pump being connected to the water inlet endof the radiator, and valve means for directing the Water and airunidirectionally through the radiator, each increment of water deliveredto the radiator by the Water pump being subjected to the ramming actionof a following impulse of air.

3. An apparatus for cleaning radiators and the like comprising, incombination, a plurality of single acting pumps each having a cylinderand a reciprocating piston, means for operating said pumps insequentially timed relation, a main water circulating systeminterconnecting the radiator with the cylinder of at least one of saidpumps in such manner that each outward stroke of the piston'of saidcylinder forces water into one end of the radiator and each returnstroke thereof draws water from the other end of the radiator, and amain air circulating system interconnecting the cylinder of another oneof said pumps with the water inlet end of the radiator in such mannerthat upon each outward stroke of the piston of said other pump apressure head of air is applied to the water in the radiator.

JAMES LA CROSS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS

